1973 Caribbean Series

The XVI edition of the Caribbean Series (Serie del Caribe) was played in 1973. It was held from February 1 through February 73 with the champions teams from Dominican Republic (Tigres del Licey), Mexico (Yaquis de Obregón), Puerto Rico (Cangrejeros de Santurce) and Venezuela (Leones del Caracas). The format consisted of 12 games, each team facing the other teams twice, and the games were played at UCV Stadium in Caracas, Venezuela. The Series was played to honor the memory of Roberto Clemente, who died on December 31, 1972 during a humanitarian mission to assist victims of the 1972 Nicaragua earthquake.

Contents

Summary

The powerful Dominican Republic team, managed by Tommy Lasorda, captured the competition with a 5-1 record, with the only defeat coming from Venezuela in Game 4. The Dominicans hit a collective .329 average, committed only three errors, and outscored their rivals 44-19. Pedro Borbón (2-0) led the pitching staff, while outfielders Jesús Alou and Manny Mota tied in the race for the batting title, with a .500 average (12-for-24). Shortstop Bobby Valentine, who provided opportune hitting and a sharp defense, was named Series MVP. The team also featured players as pitchers Bruce Ellingsen, Lerrin LaGrow, Charlie Hough and Dick Tidrow; catcher Steve Yeager; infielders Jim Spencer (1B), Ted Martínez (2B) and Steve Garvey (3B), and outfielders Elvio Jiménez and Von Joshua.

The Puerto Rico and Venezuela teams, managed by Frank Robinson and Ozzie Virgil respectively, were not rivals for the Dominicans and tied in second place with a 3-3 record.

Puerto Rico's victories came behind pitching efforts from Doyle Alexander, 2-0, 1.20 ERA, 13.0 IP) and Juan Pizarro (1-1, 5.25 ERA, 12.0 IP). Other significant players in the roster included pitchers Lloyd Allen, Roger Moret, Bob Reynolds, Ramón Hernández and Mike Strahler; catcher Elrod Hendricks; infielders Tony Pérez (1B), Jerry Davanon (2B), Ron Cey (3B) and Juan Beníquez (SS); outfielders Don Baylor (LF), José Cruz (CF) and Willie Crawford, and utilities Julio Gotay (IF) and Angel Mangual (OF).

Venezuela divided wins and losses against each team. RF César Tovar (.385 BA) and 1B Gonzalo Márquez (.381 BA) paced the offense, while Diego Seguí pitched a complete game, seven-hit shutout with 15 strikeouts. Other support came from pitcher Milt Wilcox (1-1, 3.27 ERA), 3B Manny Trillo (.476 SLG, five RBI) and catcher Joe Ferguson (.423 SLG, five RBI). The rest of the roster included OF Tony Armas, SS Bert Campaneris, P Reggie Cleveland, CF Víctor Davalillo, OF Bobby Darwin, 2B Gustavo Gil and P Ed Sprague, among others.

The Mexicans, with Dave Garcia at the helm, posted a 1-5 record and finished in last place. Their only victory came against Venezuela, 3–1, behind the combined pitching performance of Romo brothers (Vicente and Enrique) and closer Al Hrabosky. Were also in the roster 1B Jim Campanis, Ps Maximino León and Rich Troedson, 3B Dave Hilton and OF Matt Alexander.

Final standings
Club W L W/L % GB
Dominican Republic 5 1 .833  –
Puerto Rico 3 3 .500 2.0
Venezuela 3 3 .500 2.0
Mexico 1 5 .167 4.0
Individual leaders
Player/Club Statistic
Jesús Alou / DOM
Manny Mota / DOM		 Batting average .500
Thirteen tied Home runs     1
Jesús Alou / DOM
Steve Yeager / DOM		 RBI     7
Jesús Alou / DOM Runs     5
César Tovar / VEN Hits   10
Five tied Doubles     2
Three tied Triples     1
Four tied Stolen bases     1
Doyle Alexander / PRI
Pedro Borbón / DOM		 Wins     2
Diego Segui / VEN Strikeouts   17
Diego Segui / VEN ERA 0.00
Al Hrabosky / MEX
Bob Reynolds / PRI		 Saves     1
Pedro Borbón / DOM Innings pitched 14 ⅔
Awards
Bobby Valentine / DOM Most Valuable Player
Tommy Lasorda / DOM Manager
All-Star Team
Name/Club Position
Steve Yeager / DOM catcher
Gonzalo Márquez / VEN first baseman
Gustavo Gil / VEN second baseman
Steve Garvey / DOM third baseman
Bobby Valentine / DOM shortstop
Jesús Alou / DOM left fielder
Manny Mota / DOM center fielder
César Tovar / VEN right fielder
Diego Seguí / VEN RH pitcher
Juan Pizarro / PRI LH pitcher
Tommy Lasorda / DOM manager

Scoreboards

Game 1, February 1

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Puerto Rico 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 10 1
Dominican Republic 2 1 1 3 0 1 0 0 X 8 13 0
WP: Pedro Borbón (1-0)   LP: Juan Pizarro (0-1)
Home runs:
PRI: Willie Crawford (1)
DOM: Steve Yeager (1)

Game 2, February 1

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Venezuela 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 4 8 1
Mexico 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 2
WP: Milt Wilcox (1-0)   LP: Rich Troedson (0-1)
Home runs:
VEN: Manny Trillo (1)
MEX: None

Game 3, February 2

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Mexico 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 11 0
Puerto Rico 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 X 3   7 1
WP: Doyle Alexander (1-0)   LP: Al Hrabosky (0-1)   Sv: Bob Reynolds (1)
Home runs:
MEX: None
PRI: Tony Pérez (1)

Game 4, February 2

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Dominican Republic 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2   7 1
Venezuela 0 1 3 0 2 0 0 0 X 6 12 1
WP: Reggie Cleveland (1-0)   LP: Bruce Ellingsen (0-1)
Home runs:
DOM: None
VEN: Víctor Davalillo (1)

Game 5, February 3

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Dominican Republic 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 0 8 12 2
Mexico 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 10 1
WP: Dick Tidrow (1-0)   LP: Maximino León (0-1)

Game 6, February 3

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Venezuela 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 7 1
Puerto Rico 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 1
WP: Diego Seguí (1-0)   LP: Lloyd Allen (0-1)
Home runs:
VEN: Joe Ferguson (1)
PRI: None

Game 7, February 4

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Dominican Republic 0 0 1 2 2 0 1 1 2 9 15 1
Puerto Rico 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2   6 1
WP: Lerrin LaGrow (1-0)   LP: Roger Moret (0-1)
Home runs:
DOM: Jesús Alou (1)
PRI: None

Game 8, February 4

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Mexico 1 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 5 9 3
Venezuela 0 00 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 8 2
WP: Vicente Romo (1-0)   LP: Luis Peñalver (0-1)   Sv: Al Hrabosky (1)

Game 9, February 5

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Puerto Rico 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 8 0 9 12 0
Mexico 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2   8 1
WP: Juan Pizarro (1-1)   LP: Rich Troedson (0-2)
Home runs:
PRI: Angel Mangual (1)
MEX: Dave Hilton (1)

Game 10, February 5

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Venezuela 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 0 0 5 13 5
Dominican Republic 0 4 3 0 0 0 0 2 X 9 13 0
WP: Pedro Borbón (2-0)   LP: Milt Wilcox (1-1)

Game 11, February 6

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Mexico 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 10 2
Dominican Republic 0 5 2 0 1 0 0 0 X 8 15 1
WP: Bruce Ellingsen (1-1)   LP: Al Hrabosky (0-2)
Home runs:
MEX: None
DOM: Jim Spencer (1)

Game 12, February 6

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Puerto Rico 3 2 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 8 10 1
Venezuela 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0   4 1
WP: Doyle Alexander (2-0)   LP: Milt Wilcox (1-2)
Home runs:
PRI: Fernando González (1), Elrod Hendricks (1)
VEN: None

See also

Sources

External links

   

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  • 1961 to 1969 - The Series was not held during these years following the dissolution of Cuba's professional league.
  • 1981 - The Series was not held due to a Venezuelan player's strike.